Jim called me "Dickie Babe". I called him "Jimmie D." The last time we talked speaking freely was difficult for him but he was able to greet me with a "Hey Dickie Babe." His memory and humor were intact and he asked me to reminisce about some of our adventures. We had many over the high school and college years (Jim was my roommate and fraternity brother at UOP). Like the week long hiking trip into the Olympic Rain Forest in Washington where to our surprise it rained 24 hours a day for the entire trek. Charlie Romine was with us. We survived on a diet of grilled cheese sandwiches as Charlie's and my fishing skills were non existent. As was said before by several of you, Jim was a gifted athlete. We played tennis matches but they weren't really matches. They were wars and despite all my efforts I was never able to defeat him. We both loved the competition between us whether it was tennis, ski racing or who could wall sit the longest. If there is a heaven, and I am sure there is, Jim will be there and when I ultimately join him, I am sure he will be there to say "Hi Dickie babe" and he will hand me a tennis racquet and the competition and friendship will continue.
When asked I always say if there are 10 nice people in the world, one of them is Jim. May his classmates who admire and adore him find comfort in each other and the stories we share about a true gentle man.
I am indeed saddened, but having my heart warmed remebering Jim. It is so nice to see the faces in my memories of each of you who have commented. I talked with Jim many many times over the years, and after his stroke, and he always radiated a smile that you just knew came from his heart. His friendship, and he probably had no other type of relationship, was a gift. See you later Jim Dodge...
Dear Classmates. I had a nice conversation with Carla Dodge yesterday. She and Jim moved to Reno five years ago to be close to their daughter whose has two children ages 3 and 5. Jim died on June 1, 2019. He stopped eating and died two weeks later. There was no obituary. Jim was very generous throughout the years. We frequently met at his and Carla's home for our reunion meetings. I was pleased to see several of you post memories of him on the website. Hope to see you in September! Be well. Sherry
I WAS SADDENED LAST WEEK OF LEARNING THE PASSING OF JIM. DODGE OUR HISTORY STARTED AT EMERSON ELEMENTRY SCHOOL MYSELF, JIM AND CARY T. STARTED KINDERGARDEN THERE. WE ALL PLAYED THE SPORTS AND DID ALL THE THINGS LITTLE BOYS DO. AS TIME WENT MY BY WE ALL WENT DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS JIM WAS A GOOD ALL ROUND ATHLETE CARY HAD HIS SWIMMING I COULD NOT RUN FAST NOR HIT A BALL BUT AL KYTE AND GEORGE POWLES DISCOVERED I COULD THROW A BALL FAST. MY BIGGEST REGRET THAT I REALLY DID NOT KNOW JIM OR ALL MY CLASSMATES AS ADULTS REST IN PEACE JIM DODGE
It was with great sadness that I learned about Jimmy's passing. Our history started at the early age of 7-8. Jim's dad, Ridgley K. Dodge "Mr. Dodge", along with the legendary Sam Bercovich, were the earliest sponsors of youth baseball in Oakland. Mr. Dodge, Porta House owner, was always there for us kids. It never mattered what nationality, religion, or color, we were his kids. Jimmy and I lost track as time went on after college and as our lives continued. I did speak to Jimmy sometime later and was aware of his health issues. As others have mentioned, a flood of memories came back to me. I wish his family the best, as their loss can't be measured. Jimmy always threw what I signaled, Bruno almost always caught the result...
After reading a number of the memories about Dodge, one of common memories was his great athletic ability. My sister and brother-in-law annually had a "Decathlon Event" in which Dodge participated. Without fail Doege would be the overall winner, year after year after year. It got to the point that he was no longer invited because the results were always the same. Gifted as an athlete, humble as a person.
I am astounded to see how Jim, wherever he is, has orchestrated a gathering of his friends through these posts. To see the names of Harry, Tom, Dick and others took me back to 1959 and Jim's smiling face-always smiling. How wonderful to read all of your heartfelt memories and to be able to remember Jim through your anecdotes. I'm sure he is smiling down on all of you.
Sad for the loss of a childhood friiend.. Leaving Tech for my senior year was very sad for me but looking back is even sadder. Seeing all the names of friends who have passed away shocked me. Jim was alway a friend to everyone and will be missed and thought about in my future years. i probably knew his father more in my adult life as he was in some of the associations I was involved in. Grest people great family. We will all miss you.
What a tribute to Jim as I read of all his friends remembering him. I have great memories of Jim always with a smile and a cheerful hello. To Jim and all I wish you well. Jay
Richard Wehe
Jim called me "Dickie Babe". I called him "Jimmie D." The last time we talked speaking freely was difficult for him but he was able to greet me with a "Hey Dickie Babe." His memory and humor were intact and he asked me to reminisce about some of our adventures. We had many over the high school and college years (Jim was my roommate and fraternity brother at UOP). Like the week long hiking trip into the Olympic Rain Forest in Washington where to our surprise it rained 24 hours a day for the entire trek. Charlie Romine was with us. We survived on a diet of grilled cheese sandwiches as Charlie's and my fishing skills were non existent. As was said before by several of you, Jim was a gifted athlete. We played tennis matches but they weren't really matches. They were wars and despite all my efforts I was never able to defeat him. We both loved the competition between us whether it was tennis, ski racing or who could wall sit the longest. If there is a heaven, and I am sure there is, Jim will be there and when I ultimately join him, I am sure he will be there to say "Hi Dickie babe" and he will hand me a tennis racquet and the competition and friendship will continue.
Suzanne Triebel (Stuart)
When asked I always say if there are 10 nice people in the world, one of them is Jim. May his classmates who admire and adore him find comfort in each other and the stories we share about a true gentle man.
Ron Oznowicz
I am indeed saddened, but having my heart warmed remebering Jim. It is so nice to see the faces in my memories of each of you who have commented. I talked with Jim many many times over the years, and after his stroke, and he always radiated a smile that you just knew came from his heart. His friendship, and he probably had no other type of relationship, was a gift. See you later Jim Dodge...
Sherry Larsen (Beville)
Dear Classmates. I had a nice conversation with Carla Dodge yesterday. She and Jim moved to Reno five years ago to be close to their daughter whose has two children ages 3 and 5. Jim died on June 1, 2019. He stopped eating and died two weeks later. There was no obituary. Jim was very generous throughout the years. We frequently met at his and Carla's home for our reunion meetings. I was pleased to see several of you post memories of him on the website. Hope to see you in September! Be well. Sherry
Dennis Carter
I WAS SADDENED LAST WEEK OF LEARNING THE PASSING OF JIM. DODGE OUR HISTORY STARTED AT EMERSON ELEMENTRY SCHOOL MYSELF, JIM AND CARY T. STARTED KINDERGARDEN THERE. WE ALL PLAYED THE SPORTS AND DID ALL THE THINGS LITTLE BOYS DO. AS TIME WENT MY BY WE ALL WENT DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS JIM WAS A GOOD ALL ROUND ATHLETE CARY HAD HIS SWIMMING I COULD NOT RUN FAST NOR HIT A BALL BUT AL KYTE AND GEORGE POWLES DISCOVERED I COULD THROW A BALL FAST. MY BIGGEST REGRET THAT I REALLY DID NOT KNOW JIM OR ALL MY CLASSMATES AS ADULTS REST IN PEACE JIM DODGE
Harry Laiolo
It was with great sadness that I learned about Jimmy's passing. Our history started at the early age of 7-8. Jim's dad, Ridgley K. Dodge "Mr. Dodge", along with the legendary Sam Bercovich, were the earliest sponsors of youth baseball in Oakland. Mr. Dodge, Porta House owner, was always there for us kids. It never mattered what nationality, religion, or color, we were his kids. Jimmy and I lost track as time went on after college and as our lives continued. I did speak to Jimmy sometime later and was aware of his health issues. As others have mentioned, a flood of memories came back to me. I wish his family the best, as their loss can't be measured. Jimmy always threw what I signaled, Bruno almost always caught the result...
Tom Bruno
After reading a number of the memories about Dodge, one of common memories was his great athletic ability. My sister and brother-in-law annually had a "Decathlon Event" in which Dodge participated. Without fail Doege would be the overall winner, year after year after year. It got to the point that he was no longer invited because the results were always the same. Gifted as an athlete, humble as a person.
Rosemary Vasquez
I am astounded to see how Jim, wherever he is, has orchestrated a gathering of his friends through these posts. To see the names of Harry, Tom, Dick and others took me back to 1959 and Jim's smiling face-always smiling. How wonderful to read all of your heartfelt memories and to be able to remember Jim through your anecdotes. I'm sure he is smiling down on all of you.
Rosemary Vasquez
Steve Hilgedick (Hilgedick)
Sad for the loss of a childhood friiend.. Leaving Tech for my senior year was very sad for me but looking back is even sadder. Seeing all the names of friends who have passed away shocked me. Jim was alway a friend to everyone and will be missed and thought about in my future years. i probably knew his father more in my adult life as he was in some of the associations I was involved in. Grest people great family. We will all miss you.
Love you buddy
James Pearson Jr.
What a tribute to Jim as I read of all his friends remembering him. I have great memories of Jim always with a smile and a cheerful hello. To Jim and all I wish you well. Jay